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Preview: Model Purchasing Policies & Procedures Preface

This is a preview from our latest Grant Management series article, Model Purchasing Policies and Procedures: A Guide for Nonprofits, Governments, and Tribal Organizations, available for purchase here.

Preface

I. Introduction

Welcome to Model Purchasing Policies and Procedures: A Guide for Nonprofits, Governments, and Tribal Organizations. It has been more than 30 years since any organization has issued something substantially new concerning procurement for use by governments and nonprofit organizations. The question is why now? There are four reasons.

Grant Proposal Data Dos and Don'ts

Strong grant proposals use relevant data to support the request for funding. You can spot an experienced grantseeker by how artfully they use data. The successful grant professionals I know are obsessed with data.

Planning Culturally Competent Programs

Effective programs are more than well designed and more than appropriately funded―they’re culturally competent. Truly effective programs are planned and operated with a high-level of respect for and sensitivity to the groups they’re intended to benefit.

Alumni Spotlight: Jennie Rosenbaum, LAEP

Jennie Rosenbaum (right) with one of her high school students at graduation.

Diapers to diplomas. That’s the unofficial mantra of Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP). Project Grantsmanship alum and Director of Development & Evaluation, Jennie Rosenbaum, is an advocate for students. She bridges the gap between nonprofits and schools: Nonprofits in education & youth development need schools and schools need the support of nonprofits, but these two groups don’t always work in alignment. With differing needs and visions, it can help to have a person who can straddle both camps.

What is a Capacity Building Grant for?

Grantmakers are amazingly consistent in their definition of “capacity-building,” but grantseekers are often unsure of what fits into that category. Capacity-building grants are not about expanding an organization’s services, adding a new program, or renovating a building. They are about strengthening an organization’s infrastructure, management, and governance.

What is a Social Enterprise?

What does the term Social Enterprise remind you of? For me, I immediately go to Star Trek and the Starship Enterprise. But our Social Enterprise trainer and consultant, Rolfe Larson assures us that the term Social Enterprise has nothing to do with Star Trek.

Do you know enough about your organization?

Developing winning grant proposals requires a deep understanding of your organization. You’ve got to understand the organization’s capacity, expertise, and place in the community. You must be able to provide a concise, thorough overview of the organization, highlighting its fit with the proposed program.

Harness Logic Model Power

Logic models – charts that illustrate connections between program activities and outcomes – are great tools for planning programs to address community needs, but many nonprofits use them only to help explain a program they’ve already planned. That’s a backwards approach. You’re much more likely to have real impact on the problem your organization wants to address if you use a logic model to guide the planning process.

Introduction to Charitable Solicitation Compliance

Fundraising and grant seeking are exhilarating opportunities to align new donors, corporations, and foundations with your mission. But before you can freely pursue these opportunities, there are certain government regulations with which your nonprofit must comply.

Jess Peláez, Blueprint Earth

We’re excited to start our Alumni Spotlight Series. First up is Project Grantsmanship alum, Jess Peláez, Founder & CEO of Blueprint Earth.

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